By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A new dispute has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur after Hindu organisations claimed the well inside a mosque belongs to them. Local Muslims say this is another attempt to create tension in a city known for its shared culture and peaceful ties.
The old mosque, situated near the Town Hall in Sadar Bazaar, has been a part of the area’s Ganga-Jamuni culture for generations. But Hindu groups are now trying to take control of the well inside the mosque, saying it was once used for a wedding ritual called Kuen Vare.
On Saturday (6 December), members of the Hindu Yuva Sangthan submitted a memorandum to the district administration. They demanded that the mosque “release” the well, which they claim is linked to “Sanatan tradition”.
Rajesh Awasthi, one of the activists, said, “The mosque has been built by illegally occupying the well. The lack of action despite the court order is a gross negligence on the part of the administration. If the encroachment is not removed, we will be forced to launch a major protest.”
He also demanded the removal of the mosque’s loudspeaker.
Local Muslims say this is not a matter of faith for these groups but a planned attempt to target Muslim places of worship across the state.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
